The Power of Soft Skills | Roman Kolesov | TEDxAmerican University of Technology

Key Takeaways on Soft Skills - Soft skills are crucial for career and business success, not just for LinkedIn profiles [2] - Soft skills can determine the success or failure of a project [3] - Soft skills are about effective interaction and collaboration, not just being nice [5] - Soft skills are increasingly important in the age of AI and automation, as they are difficult for machines to replicate [6] Developing Soft Skills - Public speaking can be improved through practice, starting with small updates in meetings [7] - Active listening involves understanding the speaker, not just hearing them [7] - Feedback should be sought not only on work but also on communication skills (clarity, audibility, helpfulness) [8] - Empathy is important; consider the other person's feelings before arguing [8] - Learning from others through books, talks, and observing great communicators is beneficial [9] - Focus on developing one skill at a time for better results [9] Importance in Professional Context - Developers are often promoted for their people skills in addition to their technical skills [6] - Well-pitched average ideas can outperform brilliant ones [6] - The ability to connect, collaborate, lead, and communicate is crucial for career advancement [11] - Soft skills are essential for turning good people into great leaders and good teams into unforgettable ones [12]